While the Giants are solidly in contention for another NL West crown, sitting in third place and just a game and a half behind the surprising Diamondbacks, I get the sense that this team is searching for something it hasn't found yet. In 2010 it was the team that was a heart attack waiting to happen as they made late run after late run and Brian Wilson led the way to heart stopping victories. In 2012, it was a second half surge and a playoff push where they were the comeback kids and the road warriors. On the brink of a dynasty, this years team has yet to find the identity that will forever define it.
The good news is that the division is still very close and, if they get hot, separation could happen very quickly. The pitching has let this team down all year long. Matt Cain has had the worst start of his professional career. Madison Bumgarner has looked like the ace but still lacks the consistency you look for in an ace. Timmy is still a mess, even though he fights hard. Zito is Zito and probably the least disappointing out of the rotation. After playing playoff hero, Vogelstrong was also disappointing before he went on the d.l. and the farm has offered little support in his place. While Romo has had some rough spots in the closer role, he has been more than serviceable and once again the Giants have one of the best bullpens in baseball.
Offensively, the Giants have had some good and some bad. Sandoval, before he went down, was having another strong year. Posey is defending his MVPosey trophy just fine. Pence is back to being the same guy he has been for the past several years. Scooter and Blanco are both doing just fine. Crawford is having the breakout year that I have been waiting for. Before getting hurt, Pagan was proving his worth after the big offseason contract. All and all, the bats are not the problem here.
This team will be defined by it's pitching and I still expect that to rebound. Let's be honest, they are lucky that the rest of the division is treading water. I look for them to take advantage and capitalize on the opportunity that has been given to them. There is still a lot of baseball to be played and the Giants have a title to defend. While the division is still the first goal, there are bigger goals to be had for the 2013 Giants.
